Man held over punch attack on city street

A MAN was being quizzed by gardai last night over an assault that has left another man fighting for his life.

Liam Bennett (46) from Inchicore was found unconscious outside a property on Tyrconnell Road shortly before 9.30pm on Thursday.

The discovery was made by a member of the public and Mr Bennett was rushed to St James's Hospital, where he was in a critical condition with bleeding on his brain.

A source revealed that Mr Bennett suffered his injuries after falling to the ground when he was punched with one blow to the head.

It is understood the injuries were caused when his head hit the ground.

"This appears to be a random incident – there may have been an argument between the attacker and the victim that lasted just a matter of a couple of seconds before the assault occurred.

"The indications are that these men did not know each other.

"The area is well covered by CCTV and that is why gardai have been able to establish exactly what happened and make an arrest so quickly.

WITNESSES

"The victim is in a very, very bad way," the source explained.

The case is being investigated by gardai from Kilmainham Station who are appealing for witnesses.

The arrested man was being held in Kilmainham last night. He is in his 30s.

A garda spokesman said: "Gardai are particularly appealing to a taxi driver who picked up a male on Tyrconnell Road at 9.20pm on Thursday night near Golden Bridge Industrial Estate.

"The taxi driver was driving what is believed to be a light coloured Skoda Octavia.

"The taxi then drove the man in the direction of the canal. Gardai are also appealing for witnesses to contact gardai in Kilmainham."

The assault scene is located beside the Kalla Beauty Salon in Inchicore, where Jean Treacy, ex-lover of wife-killer Eamonn Lillis worked after his trial for battering his wife Celine Cawley (46) to death.

According to the latest CSO figures, there has been an 11pc increase in assault causing harm – the offence that Thursday night's assault is classified as.